Tuesday, December 8, 2009

"Alhambra": The Prequel

Behind every great textile design lies an inspiration. Here is one such story, step by step...

1. Travel to the Alhambra in Spain.

2. Become seduced with the serene geometry of a Moorish citadel.

3. If your name is Philip Gorrivan, allow it to clamber inside your brain and tattoo itself upon your memory.

(Philip Gorrivan)

4. Use these Byzantine influences as a starting point for your own elegant, modern interpretation.

5. Evoke the lush palettes of far-off destinations when you fabricate your colorways. I don't know about you, but when I look at the tones below, I'm reminded of a walled garden in Morocco.

("Alhambra" by Philip Gorrivan for Highland Court)

(Marrakech, 2007)

With these next three, I have a flashback of Agra at dawn.

("Alhambra" by Philip Gorrivan for Highland Court)

(Taj Mahal, 2007)

6. Finally, have the ethereal Margaret Russell throw you a cocktail party in LA. Speak so charmingly and persuasively about the genesis of inspiration that a blogger with two-toned hair feels galvanized to rush home and explore Moorish/Byzantine/Islamic architecture for herself...

...but not before she gets a quick snap on the way out.

(Margaret Russell and yours truly)

To see the rest of Philip's lovely new textile line for Highland Court, click HERE.

Lisa you look fabulous, and are most certainly holding your own next to Ms. Russell in that photo! I was scheduled to visit the Alhambra a few years ago but a canceled flight out of London thwarted my plans. I saw a few moorish buildings in other areas of Spain on that trip (cordoba was particularly great) but I still long for the Alhambra. I suppose the work of Mr. Gorrivan will have to sate my longing for now...

Lovely Pic Lisa! Love that skirt. The Alhambra is one of my favourite places in the whole world! Truly magical, My Father is a specialist in Islamic Manuscripts and speaks Fluent Arabic (and many other languages, he is a very clever fellow) He lives in Spain near Granada so we have visited many times, with him translating all of the carvings for me and filling me in on traditions and customs etc, He actually recently published a book on Moorish Spain. He lives in a Place called Ronda which is also a magical place if you ever happen to find yourself in that neck of the woods.x Those textiles are beautiful, a little ottoman for my living room perhaps or no maybe the whole couch x

Hi Lisa . Oh the Alhambra. (sigh). What a lovely Textory (a story about textiles\fabric - yes just call me Lewis 'Jane' Carroll). Isn't the way people are inspired amazing. You look super chic but not so two toned! xox

Lovely fabrics indeed - and lovely skirt Lisa!! La Alhambra is one of those places that make your heart skip a beat. Not only is the architecture beautiful, but the gardens are also breathtaking. The trickle of the water fountains, the smells of the aromatic plants, the sense of history looming over....it is a delight for the senses.One usually expects to see moorish architecture only in the south of Spain, but there are some incredible buildings from that period even as far north as the Palacio de la Aljafería in Zaragoza. To make sure to put in your list for your next grand tour of Spain!!

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